Tampa Bay signed Tyler Shoemaker as a free agent.

Pre-Snap Read's Countdown is back. You know what that means, right? Football season is right around the corner. If it feels a bit early for the Countdown, well, there are 4 new DIA teams, one of which is the first he profiles--University of Texas-San Antonio.

And already, at No. 122, he's got one of or conference non-rivals, New Mexico.

Paul Myerberg of Pre-Snap Read has his own ranking, and ranks the conferences based on that ranking after the conclusion of every week's games. This week, he went a little deeper into his conference rankings, evaluating the divisions in the bigger conferences, and also the top and bottom of the conferences.

The MWC, as a whole, is the top mid-major conference, after the PAC-12 and independents. But, when split into the top and bottom half, a different picture emerges. The top half of the MWC isn't that far off from BCS conferences. The bottom half is among the worst in the country. But we all knew that. (And this is why the MWC would have trouble getting that AQ spot.)

Ranking the top half of the conferences
1. Big 12 (12.2)
2. SEC (13.7)
3. Big Ten (16.8)
4. Pac-12 (22.8)
5. A.C.C. (25.3)
6. Mountain West (34.0)
7. Big East (37.8)
8. Conference USA (44.7)
9. MAC (58.8)
10. Sun Belt (72.8)
11. WAC (73.3)

Ranking the bottom half:
1. Big 12 (52.7)
2. Big Ten (55.8)
3. SEC (65.7)
4. Big East (68.3)
5. A.C.C. (71.3)
6. Pac-12 (86.3)
7. MAC (98.4)
8. WAC (100.3)
9. Conference USA (101.0)
10. Mountain West (102.3)
11. Sun Belt (103.8)

I love that this article uses an OBNUG poll in talking about the realignment decision.

I'm not sure the author is correct in saying we'd lose Petersen if we didn't jump to the BE.

One of three recent posts about Boise State on Pre-Snap Read.

I wanted to highlight a comment from an independent observer (a Texas fan):

"Last year during this endless debate, we gave Boise the Mississippi State schedule and asked how would they do ? If we go through that exercise again, I see three possible losses – at Arky, Bama in Boise and LSU in Boise. Sure they could lose to some others but those would be the toughest games. After what I saw this weekend, I think all three of those games are winnable. Funny thing is, put them in the SEC East and you have to like their chances to get to the SEC championship game. Not saying they are Bama, but this team could compete for a championship in the SEC. And their coach is a threat to Rockne’s all time winning percentage if they stay in the MWC."

After nearly nailing the Georgia game in his preview, Paul reviews the game.

"As long as the Broncos maintain the sense of composure that allowed them to weather an early storm, there’s no reason to think this team can’t make a run towards a national title. And as long as Moore is under center, there’s no reason to think this team won’t keep its cool."

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution blogger talks about the game, and Moore's protection:

"He could’ve had a Baracalounger in the backfield to recline before some of his throws."

Maybe he's making sandwiches in the Baracalounger.

Boise State tells a Michigan high school that they can have a blue football field (a Navy shade of blue, not BSU colors), just so long as they don't call it Blue Turf, which is trademarked.

Cam Newton's potential ineligibility drops him, and Moore's consistency edges him over LaMichael James.

This is odd. Akey thinks that Boise State's the best team in the country, but Petersen doesn't. (The article says that Petersen didn't vote Boise State last week. I'm unclear if that's the most recent poll, or the one before that, so I'm not sure if Coach Pete voted Boise State #1.)

He also suggests that if Boise State reaches #1 in the polls, they'll probably stay there if they remain undefeated. While poll voters might vault a team over a #2 team, they're less likely to demote a #1 team that continues to win.

Chrissy, this link's for you. Want to get a picture published on the New York Times? :)

Andrea Adelson picked Gene Bleymaier to run the program, and was impressed with our Game Day atmosphere for the game day. She picked Patterson to coach it, which I can't quibble with too much, since she does have to spread the love around to other schools. Notre Dame also got two mentions (for facilities--can't quibble too much--and stadium).

Our #1 fan at ESPN's article this week was inspired by trick plays this weekend. And so of course we got mentioned.

No mention of the Riddler last year, but he held up Coach Pete as a guru, cited Kellen Moore as the master of the play-action pass, and had a rundown on Boise State's season so far (much better than last week).

I didn't notice it last week when it happened, but the guy who seems to be our #1 fan and defender on ESPN, Pat Forde, dropped Boise State from his #1 position after the second week of the season.

I guess Ohioans don't understand the concept of "onfield results."

He argues that Boise State's performance against schools like Hawaii, Utah State and San Jose State will be held to a higher standard than, say, USC, Oklahoma or Alabama.

In his Ohio State preview, he said that it was really hard to pick between the top three teams. Not that Boise State would necessarily beat the other two, but they're more likely than Ohio State to reach the championship game.

A decent write-up of the team.

Wilson signed a 5 year $13 million contract with the Jets.

Every Day Should Be Saturday is unimpressed with the shots fired in this rivalry. At least, from the Boise State side.

Paul Meyerberg of Pre-Snap Read weighs in on how swapping Boise State for Utah affects Air Force (and the rest of the MWC, but mostly from Air Force's perspective).

It really doesn't say much except that Air Force's road doesn't get any easier.

Other notable results:

Boise State goes undefeated, does not make the championship game, beats Houston in Sugar Bowl. (Houston, Utah and Boise State all make BCS bowls? That's not realistic. Besides, wouldn't Boise State go to the Rose Bowl if OSU is in the championship?)

USC wins PAC 10, and Utah wins the MWC.

From the mailbag, a reader asks: "Looking at the current landscape of college football, what two programs would you most like to see play this year?"

He answers: "I'll go with Alabama vs. Boise State."

Read the full reply (and other questions) at the site.

(Edit: fixed the URL, I hope.)

Paul Myerberg of Pre-Snap Read wonders "Why not Kaepernick" for Heisman consideration.

"Weakness: Defensive line/schedule strength. Based on numbers, even this is a stretch. If anything, this is more of a "needs improvement" category. Boise State ranked 72nd in the nation with only 25 sacks, so getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks would help improve the Broncos' defense."

Also, Paul Myerberg has Idaho as #75 in his countdown. (And Wyoming #76, saying that "no team could possibly face a tougher slate over its first eight games than do the Cowboys."